GHOST RIDER Writer Wants Ryan Gosling's MCU Reboot to Go Full R-Rated Horror as Placeholder Synopsis Surfaces

Marvel Studios has big plans for Ryan Gosling as Ghost Rider, and comic book writer Benjamin Percy thinks the upcoming MCU reboot should take the character somewhere seriously dark. We're talking melting flesh, chains pulled from mouths, and enough supernatural horror to make this feel like a trip straight into Hell.

Percy, who wrote Marvel's Ghost Ridercomic series from 2022 to 2023, wants the new movie to embrace the character's darker side rather than follow the usual Marvel superhero formula.

Speaking with ComicBook, Percy explained why he believes an R-rated approach would be the right move: “Let me say that as a horror head, this is my time, right? I’m in my zone right now.

"I’m sure whatever Marvel conjures up is going to be great, but I would lean towards the R-rated horror version of the character and not do the standard cape and spandex, MCU type, which can be very effective if you’re doing a Doomsday storyline, or an X-Men storyline.

“But in this case, I would really lean into, like, Johnny pulling hot chains out of his mouth, Hellraiser style, or his skin melting right off of him with a halo of flames around. Like, give us the body horror. Give us a really hellish iteration of Ghost Rider on the screen.”

I'm on board with that approach! Ghost Rider is a flaming skeleton who makes deals with demons and savagely punishes the wicked. There's plenty of room to make an awesome supernatural horror movie here, especially if Marvel is willing to let the filmmakers get a little crazy with the character.

While most MCU films stick with a PG-13 rating, the success of Deadpool and Wolverine proved that Marvel can deliver an R-rated comic book movie and still bring in a massive audience. An adult-oriented Ghost Rider movie could be a great way to explore the MCU's supernatural corner.

Marvel officially announced Gosling's casting during its San Diego Comic-Con presentation in July. The actor will headline a solo Ghost Rider movie directed by Shawn Levy, whose credits include Deadpool & Wolverine and the upcoming Star Wars: Starfighter.

The film is scheduled to arrive in theaters in 2028, with Starfighter screenwriter Jonathan Tropper handling the script. Heated Rivalry star Connor Storrie is also reportedly in talks to play the movie's villain, although details about the character remain under wraps.

Gosling's Ghost Rider is also expected to have a role in Marvel's planned Midnight Sons movie, which would bring together some of the MCU's supernatural heroes.

In addition to Percy's comments, a placeholder synopsis for the reboot has surfaced, and it offers an interesting possibility for the story. The description comes directly from Volume 10 of Marvel's Ghost Rider comic, so it shouldn't be treated as confirmation of the movie's plot. Still, it could offer a clue about the direction Marvel is considering.

“Johnny Blaze has the perfect life: a wife and two kids, a job at an auto repair shop, and a small-town community that supports him… But Johnny isn’t doing well. He has nightmares of monsters when he sleeps. And he sees bloody visions when he’s awake. This life is beginning to feel like a prison. And there’s a spirit in him that’s begging to break out.”

Gosling played a major role in getting the project off the ground. During a previously interview, Feige revealed that the actor was the one who developed the concept and convinced Levy to get involved.

“It was Gosling who had the vision. It was Gosling who had the pitch that won over Shawn, that had them come and pitch us this idea, which led to us on stage today.”

Gosling clearly passionate about the character, and the fact that he approached Marvel with a specific take tells us he completely invested in telling a great story that he’s excited about. Whether that vision matches Percy's desire for a full-on R-rated horror movie remains to be seen.

Personally, I'd love to see Marvel embrace the frightening side of Ghost Rider. Give us the demonic imagery, the terrifying transformations, the hellfire, and the brutal consequences of being possessed by a supernatural force.

The MCU has an opportunity to do something different with this character, and hopefully Gosling and Levy take full advantage of it.

Would you rather see an R-rated Ghost Rider horror movie, or do you think Marvel can pull off the character with a PG-13 rating?